As we expected, there was much hand wringing and discussion related to which teams would be selected to the NCAA College Football Playoffs. The real controversy was whether the University of Alabama or the Ohio State University would be the 4th entry.

There was a lot of talk about resumes and records and much lobbying among journalists, coaches and fans. Speculation was all over the board since no one outside the selection committee knew what criteria the committee was using. Finally, the decision was made and there was joy and sadness based on who was in and who was out. This year the Alabama fans are happy and the Ohio State fans are sad.

As it relates to being in God's family, there is also the question of who is in and who is out. Some would have us believe that all people are in because we are all created by God and they speculate that he wouldn't reject anyone he created. But the Scriptures tell us that God gave humans the unique capacity to reject him and thus become his enemy rather than his family. Others readily acknowledge that there are some who are God's family and others who are not, but they aren't sure what criteria is being used to determine who is in and who is out. They have their own resumes in hand, ready to make their case.

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A Story of Two ‘Lists’

I think of the two boys described in Jesus' parable that we often call "the prodigal son." The younger boy requested an early inheritance and wasted it in self-discovery. Eventually, he came to himself and realized what a mess he had made.

In the pig pen, he began devising a list of his sins that disqualified him as a son. He had that list firmly in hand when he rounded the bend toward his father's house. Hoping that his contrition and sincerity would win at least a chance to make up for what he had done, he was ready to recite his resume to the father.

The second boy was out working at the barn when he heard a joyous shout from the main house. When he inquired, he was told that the younger son had returned and there was a celebration party going on. This made his blood boil. This rebellious boy didn't deserve to be "in" the party or "in" the family.

As it turns out, the second boy had a list too. It was his resume. He had worked hard. He had kept the rules. If anybody deserved to be celebrated, it was him; not the wayward one.

Saved by Grace

Jesus has taken the lists of rebellious ones and the lists of self-righteous ones and canceled them all by his life, death and resurrection.

The father was not interested in either list. It was not the first boy's contrition that bought him mercy. It was not the second boy's goodness that got him favor. It was the father's love that offered his bounty to both. The story ends before we know if the second son ever came in, but we know the father wanted him in.

Jesus has taken the lists of rebellious ones and the lists of self-righteous ones and canceled them all by his life, death and resurrection. We are in the family based on the only criteria considered in heaven: Faith in Jesus Christ alone.

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in is name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” -- John 1:11-13

We can throw away our lists. God is not keeping score since Jesus has filled all the lists with his own righteousness and canceled all our debts with his sacrificial death. Come on in.